So, I recently picked up a Linksys WUSB6300 adapter to get my Wi-Fi sorted out on my computer, and I was pretty excited about it being a dual-band and all. I’ve got Ubuntu 20.04.2 LTS installed, and I was under the impression that getting it set up would be a breeze. But boy, was I wrong. I plugged the adapter in, and nothing happened. It just sat there like a useless piece of plastic. I did a bit of digging online, and it seems like I need some drivers to get it up and running, but the information out there is so scattered that I can’t seem to get a straight answer.
I tried downloading some drivers from the manufacturer’s site, but they seem to be more oriented toward Windows users. Then I stumbled across a few forums where folks were talking about using some random GitHub repositories to find the right drivers for Linux. Honestly, it felt like I was deciphering some ancient text or something—lots of commands, compiling code, and whatnot. I mean, I’m decent with computers, but I’m by no means a programmer or someone who’s comfortable messing with the terminal if it’s going to crash my entire system.
I really don’t want to go through the hassle of trying and failing with a bunch of random instructions because I’ve read horror stories of people getting stuck in a loop of driver issues post-installation. I’m wondering if there’s an easier way to find the right drivers specifically for this adapter. Has anyone had success getting the WUSB6300 up and running on Ubuntu 20.04.2 LTS? If so, could you share some step-by-step guidance or at least point me to a reliable source? I’d seriously appreciate any bit of help because right now, I just want to connect to Wi-Fi without much drama! Thanks in advance!
To get your Linksys WUSB6300 adapter working on Ubuntu 20.04.2 LTS, you first need to ensure that you have the necessary drivers installed. The WUSB6300 requires the Realtek RTL8812AU chipset driver. Since it is not included in the default kernel, you can use a community-supported driver from GitHub. Start by opening a terminal and updating your system package list with the command
sudo apt update
. Next, install the required packages for building the driver by runningsudo apt install build-essential dkms git
. After that, clone the appropriate driver repository by usinggit clone https://github.com/aircrack-ng/rtl8812au.git
.Once the repository is cloned, navigate into its directory with
cd rtl8812au
. You then need to compile and install the driver by executingsudo dkms add .
, followed bysudo dkms build 8812au/5.6.5.2
andsudo dkms install 8812au/5.6.5.2
. After installation, plug in your WUSB6300 adapter if it isn’t already connected, and check if it is recognized by runningiwconfig
. If everything went smoothly, you should see your wireless adapter listed. Finally, use the network settings to connect to your desired Wi-Fi network. Should any issues arise, checking the output ofdmesg
can provide clues for diagnostic purposes.Getting Your Linksys WUSB6300 Adapter Running on Ubuntu
I totally get where you’re coming from! Setting up Wi-Fi can sometimes feel like a battle, especially with weird drivers and all. So here’s a simple guide you can follow to get your WUSB6300 working on Ubuntu 20.04.2 LTS.
Step-by-Step Guide
First things first, plug in your Linksys WUSB6300 adapter into a USB port on your computer. Just make sure it’s securely connected.
Press
Ctrl + Alt + T
to open up the terminal. This is where you’ll be entering some commands.It’s always good to start with updating your package lists. Type this command and hit
Enter
:Now you’ll want to install some build essentials. Type this command:
Here’s where it can get a bit confusing, but I’ll try to keep it simple. You’ll be downloading a driver from GitHub. Run this command:
Now, navigate into the downloaded folder:
Type the following command to build and install the driver:
After the installation is complete, it’s usually a good idea to restart your system. Just type:
After rebooting, click on the Wi-Fi icon in the top right corner and see if your networks are visible. If your adapter is working, you should be able to connect!
If you run into issues at any step, don’t panic! You could try searching for the specific error message you see. There’s a decent chance someone else has already solved it on forums like Ask Ubuntu or Stack Overflow.
Good luck! You got this! Just take it one step at a time, and soon enough, you’ll be surfing the web without any hassle.